Posterior-stabilized total knee prosthesis

ABSTRACT

In an orthopaedic knee joint prosthesis, an intercondylar fossa of a femoral component cooperates with a spine formed in a tibial component to reproduce the screw home mechanism of a natural knee. When the femoral component and tibial component are positioned to correspond with slight flexion of the knee, the components are mutually rotationally locked against internal or external rotation. At higher degrees of flexion, such as greater than about 10-20 degrees of flexion, internal/external rotation of the tibia is permitted. The tibia is in an externally rotated position when locked, thereby reproducing the screw home mechanism and providing high stability.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit under Title 35, U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/146,745, entitled POSTERIOR-STABILIZED TOTAL KNEE PROSTHESIS, filed on Jan. 23, 2009, the entire disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates to orthopedic prostheses and, specifically, to knee prostheses.

2. Description of the Related Art

Orthopedic prostheses are commonly utilized to repair and/or replace damaged bone and tissue in the human body. For example, a knee prosthesis may include a tibial component and/or a femoral component that replace damaged and/or destroyed bone in the tibia and/or femur and promote articulation similar to the natural, anatomical articulation of the knee joint.

In a natural knee, internal rotation of the tibia occurs when the knee is flexed from full extension (i.e., zero degrees flexion) to about 20 degrees flexion, and, conversely, external rotation of the tibia occurs when the knee is extended from about 20 degrees to full extension. This internal/external rotation is known as the “screw home” mechanism. The screw home mechanism is driven in part by the difference in the radii of curvature of the medial and lateral condyles of the distal femur. The externally rotated orientation of the anatomic tibia in full extension results in tightening of cruciate ligaments and “locks” the knee against internal/external rotation at the tibia-femur interface. The screw home mechanism thereby promotes stability of the tibia with respect to the femur when the knee is extended or slightly flexed.

In the final stages of knee extension, the tibia rolls anteriorly and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) elongates, causing translation of the femur relative to the tibia at the tibia-femur interface. The lateral side of the distal femoral articular surface experiences a relatively larger anterior translation as compared with the medial side of same. This anterior movement of the lateral distal femoral articular surface occurs during the last 20 degrees of knee extension results in external rotation of the tibia, and forms the basis for the screw home mechanism. Once in the extended position, internal/external rotation of the tibia is substantially prevented.

When the natural knee begins to flex from a position of fill extension, the lateral side of the distal femoral articular surface translates posteriorly, elongating the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The lateral femoral articular surface experiences a relatively larger posterior translation as compared with the medial side of same. This posterior movement of the lateral distal femoral articular surface occurs during the first 20 degrees of knee flexion, and reverses the screw home mechanism. Once the knee is sufficiently flexed, such as about 20 degrees, internal/external rotation of the tibia is once again permitted.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure provides an orthopaedic knee joint prosthesis in which an intercondylar fossa of a femoral component cooperates with a spine formed in a tibial component to reproduce the screw home mechanism of a natural knee. When the femoral component and tibial component are positioned to correspond with slight flexion of the knee, the components are mutually rotationally locked against internal or external rotation. At higher degrees of flexion, such as greater than about 10-20 degrees of flexion, internal/external rotation of the tibia is permitted. As the knee joint prosthesis transitions from a flexion orientation to an extension orientation, the spine may interact with the intercondylar fossa to drive internal or external rotation of the knee, subsequently locking the tibia in the resulting rotated position.

In one embodiment, for example, a base portion of the tibial spine has a width corresponding with a width between the inner faces of the lateral and medial condyles of the femoral component (i.e., the intercondylar fossa). A peak portion of the tibial spine has a reduced width which is less than the width of the intercondylar fossa. When the femoral component and tibial spine are oriented in an extension orientation, the side walls of the intercondylar fossa closely engage the base of the spine to lock the tibia against internal/external rotation. When the tibial component and femoral component are in an extension orientation, such as at least 10 degrees of flexion, the side walls of the intercondylar fossa move so that they are adjacent the peak portion of the spine, thereby creating a space between the spine and the sidewalls of the intercondylar fossa that allows internal/external rotation.

In an alternative embodiment, the side walls of the intercondylar fossa of the femoral component may define a varying width along different anteroposterior locations. For example, the intercondylar fossa may define a narrow width at an anterior position, which closely conforms to the tibial spine to lock the tibia against external/internal rotation when the prosthesis is in an extension orientation. As the femoral component articulates with the tibial component during flexion, the intercondylar fossa grows wider to provide a space between the side walls of the intercondylar fossa and the tibial spine, thereby creating a space that permits internal/external rotation in larger amounts at larger degrees of flexion.

In one form thereof, the present invention provides a knee joint prosthesis moveable between an extension orientation and a flexion orientation, the prosthesis including a femoral component and a tibial component. The femoral component includes a lateral condyle having a lateral condylar inner wail, a medial condyle having a medial condylar inner wall, and an intercondylar fossa bounded on two sides by the lateral condylar inner wall and the medial condylar inner wall. The tibial component includes a tibial articulating surface, and a spine extending proximally from the tibial articulating surface. The spine includes a base adjacent the tibial articulating surface, and the base has a lateral base wall and an opposed medial base wall. A base width is defined between the lateral base wail and medial base wall. The spine includes a peak disposed proximally of the base, the peak having a lateral peak surface and an opposed medial peak surface, with a peak width defined between the lateral peak surface and medial peak surface. The peak width is less than the base width. The lateral condylar inner wall cooperates with the lateral base wall, and the medial condylar inner wall cooperates with the medial base wall to prevent internal rotation and external rotation of the tibial component when the knee joint prosthesis is in the extension orientation. The lateral condylar inner wall cooperates with the lateral peak surface, and the medial condylar inner wall cooperates with the medial peak surface to permit at least one of internal rotation and external rotation of the tibial component when the knee joint prosthesis is in the flexion orientation.

In another form thereof, the present invention provides a knee joint prosthesis moveable between an extension orientation and a flexion orientation, the prosthesis including a femoral component and a tibial component. The femoral component includes a lateral condyle having a lateral condylar inner wall defining an anterior lateral wall segment and a posterior lateral wall segment, a medial condyle having a medial condylar inner wall defining an anterior medial wall segment and a posterior medial wall segment, and an intercondylar fossa bounded on two sides by the lateral condylar inner wall and the medial condylar inner wall. The intercondylar fossa includes an anterior space between the anterior lateral wall segment and the anterior medial wall segment, and the intercondylar fossa includes a posterior space between the posterior lateral wall segment and the posterior medial wall segment. The tibial component includes an articulating surface and a spine extending proximally from the tibial articulating surface, the spine having a lateral spine wall and an opposed medial spine wall. The anterior space of the intercondylar fossa cooperates with the lateral spine wall and the medial spine wall to prevent internal rotation and external rotation of the tibial component when the knee joint prosthesis is in the extension orientation. The posterior space of the intercondylar fossa cooperates with at least one of the lateral spine wall and the medial spine wall to permit internal rotation and external rotation of the tibial component when the knee joint prosthesis is in the flexion orientation.

In yet another form thereof, the present invention provides a knee joint prosthesis moveable between an extension orientation and a flexion orientation, the prosthesis including a tibial component and a femoral component. The tibial component includes tibial means for guiding internal and external rotation of the tibial component, and the femoral component includes a femoral means for guiding internal and external rotation of the tibial component. The femoral means for guiding cooperates with the tibial means for guiding to prevent internal rotation and external rotation of the tibial component when the knee joint prosthesis is in the extension orientation. The femoral means for guiding cooperates with the tibial means for guiding to (permit at least one of internal rotation and external rotation of the tibial component when the knee joint prosthesis is in the flexion orientation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above mentioned and other features and advantages of this disclosure, and the manner of attaining them, will become more apparent and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1A is an elevation, partial section view of a knee joint prosthesis in accordance with the present disclosure, shown in an extension orientation;

FIG. 1B is an elevation, section, partial end view of the knee joint prosthesis shown in FIG. 1A, illustrating a multi-width spine;

FIG. 2A is an elevation, partial section, side view of the knee joint prosthesis shown in FIG. 1A, shown in a flexion orientation;

FIG. 2B is an elevation, section, end view of the knee joint prosthesis shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is an plan view of the tibial component of the knee joint prosthesis shown in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 3B is an elevation, section view of the tibial component shown in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A is an elevation, section, plan view of a knee joint prosthesis in accordance with the present disclosure, shown in an extension orientation;

FIG. 4B is a plan view of the knee joint prosthesis shown in FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A is an elevation, section, end view of the knee joint prosthesis of FIG. 4A, shown in a flexion orientation;

FIG. 5B is a plan view of the knee joint prosthesis of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6A is an elevation, section view of a femoral component of the knee joint prosthesis of FIG. 4A; and

FIG. 6B is a plan view of the femoral component of FIG. 3B;

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. The exemplifications set out herein illustrate exemplary embodiments of the invention and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As indicated above, the present disclosure provides a knee joint prosthesis which selectively allows or impedes internal/external rotation of the tibia depending on the level of flexion of the knee. More particularly, the knee joint prosthesis of the present disclosure reproduces the screw home mechanism of a natural knee by preventing internal/external rotation between full extension and a low level of flexion, i.e., less than about 10-20 degrees of flexion. The knee joint prosthesis permits internal/external rotation at higher levels of flexion. As the prosthesis is advanced from the low level of flexion to fill extension, the femoral component cooperates with the tibial component to drive external rotation of the tibia. In order to prepare the tibia and femur for receipt of a knee joint prosthesis of the present disclosure, any known methods and apparatuses for preparation of the knee joint may be used.

Referring now to FIGS. 1A and 1B, knee joint prosthesis 10 includes femoral component 12 and tibial component 14. Femoral component 12 includes anterior end 16 and posterior end 18 (FIG. 1A), with a distal articulating surface 20 extending therebetween. A proximal fixation surface 22 is adapted for fixation to a resected distal femur using any known methods and apparatuses. Femoral component 12 includes lateral condyle 24 and medial condyle 26, as best shown in FIGS. 1B and 2B.

Referring to FIGS. 1B and 2B, intercondylar fossa 28 is disposed between the lateral condylar inner wall 30 of lateral condyle 24 and the medial condylar inner wall 32 of medial condyle 26. At least a portion of lateral condylar inner wall 30 and medial condylar inner wall 32 defines a substantially flat or planar sagittal surface, i.e., the planes defined by inner condylar walls 30, 32 are substantially parallel to a sagittal plane. Thus, intercondylar fossa 28 defines a channel between lateral and medial condyles 24, 26 of femoral component 12. As described in detail below, the channel-like nature of intercondylar fossa 28 cooperates with spine 46 formed in tibial component 14 to reproduce the screw-home mechanism of the natural knee.

As best seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, tibial component 14 includes anterior end 34 and posterior end 36, with articulating surface 38 extending therebetween. Fixation surface 40 (FIG. 3B) is adapted to attach to a resected proximal tibia by any known methods and apparatuses. Tibial component 14 includes lateral compartment 42 and medial compartment 44, with lateral compartment 42 shaped and positioned to correspond with lateral condyle 24 of femoral component 12, and medial compartment 44 shaped and positioned to correspond with medial condyle 26 of femoral component 12. An intercondylar eminence, such as spine 46, is disposed between lateral and medial compartments 42, 44 and extends upwardly or proximally from articulating surface 38. Spine 46 cooperates with intercondylar fossa 28 of femoral component 12 (FIGS. 1B and 2B) to limit internal/external rotation of tibial component 14 at certain levels of flexion of knee joint prosthesis 10, and to permit internal/external rotation at other levels of flexion, as described below.

Referring to FIG. 2B, spine 46 includes base 48 and peak 50, with base 48 disposed between tibial component body 39 and peak 50. Base 48 defines lateral base wall 52 and medial base wall 54, each of which has a substantially flat or planar sagittal surface, i.e., at least a portion of base walls 52, 54 define planar surfaces which are substantially parallel with a sagittal plane. Peak 50 defines lateral peak surface 56 and medial peak surface 58 extending from the tops of lateral base wall 52 and medial base wall 54, respectively, Lateral and medial peak surfaces 56, 58 taper to a summit 60 disposed at the proximal terminus of peak 50. Although the illustrated embodiment shows peak 50 as the uppermost (i.e., most proximal) portion of spine 46, with summit 60 as the narrowest point of peak 50, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that peak 50 may also be disposed between base 48 and another structure, such that summit 60 may abut a further proximal structure forming a part of spine 46.

As best seen in FIG. 3B, medial base wall 54 is bounded by three edges to form a generally triangular shape, with an anterior side of the triangle coincident with the anterior face of peak 50 and two points of the triangle disposed on articular surface 38 of tibial component 14. As illustrated in FIGS. 1A-2B and discussed in more detail below, this “triangular” shape allows base walls 52, 54 of spine 46 to cooperate with inner condylar walls 30, 32 to selectively prevent or permit internal/external rotation of tibial component 14 with respect to femoral component 12 when knee joint prosthesis 10 toggled between extended and flexed orientations.

Referring now to FIGS. 2B and 3A, base 48 has width W_(B) defined between lateral base wall 52 and medial base wall 54. Width W_(B) corresponds with the width of intercondylar fossa 28. Lateral base wall 52 is abutting or closely adjacent lateral condylar inner wall 30, and medial base wall 54 is abutting or closely adjacent medial condylar inner wall 32 when tibial component 14 is in low-flexion or extension orientations relative to femoral component 12. On the other hand, the transverse distance between lateral peak surface 56 and medial peak surface 58 is less than width W_(B), with such transverse distance transitioning from being nearly equal to width W_(B) at the junction between peak 50 and base 48, to being substantially less than width W_(B) proximate summit 60 of peak 50. This reduced transverse width of peak 50 cooperates with intercondylar fossa 28 to allow internal/external rotation of tibial component 14 relative to femoral component 12 at certain flexion orientations of knee joint prosthesis 10.

Width W_(B) of base 48 of spine 46 may be as little as 15 mm, 16 mm or 17 mm, and as large as 20 mm, 23 mm, or 25 mm, or width W_(B) may be within any range delimited by any of the foregoing values. Similarly, the taper of peak 50, i.e., the reduction in the transverse width of peak 50 between base 48 and summit 60 may result in a width of summit 60 that is as little as 10 mm, 12 mm or 14 mm, and as large as 16 mm, 18 mm, or 20 mm, or the width of summit 60 may be within any range delimited by any of the foregoing values.

The clearance between condylar inner walls 30, 32 of intercondylar fossa 28 and base 48 of spine 46 determines the extent of prevention of internal/external rotation in knee joint prosthesis 10, as described in detail below. This clearance may be as little as nearly zero mm, 0.03 mm or 0.06 mm, and as large as 0.10 mm, 0.15 mm, or 0.20 mm, or may be within any range delimited by any of the foregoing values.

Width W_(B), the taper of peak 50 and the clearance between base 48 and intercondylar fossa 28 may be chosen based on various design considerations, such as the overall size of knee joint prosthesis 10, the desired clearance between spine 46 and corresponding structures on femoral component 12 (described below), and the like. For example, in one exemplary embodiment, width W_(B) of base 48 may be about 18.1 mm wide, with a near-zero clearance with intercondylar fossa 28. In this embodiment, the transverse width of peak 50 may taper to about 15.0 mm at summit 60.

When knee joint prosthesis 10 is in an extension orientation, femoral component 12 is positioned upon tibial component 14 such that a leg with knee joint prosthesis 10 implanted in the leg would be fully extended. In this extension orientation, illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, at least a portion of intercondylar fossa 28 is closely engaged with base 48. When so engaged, little or no gap exists between lateral condylar inner wall 30 of femoral component 12 and lateral base wall 52 of tibial component 14. Likewise, on the medial side of knee joint prosthesis 10, little or no gap exists between medial condylar inner wall 32 of femoral component 12 and medial base wall 54 of tibial component 14 in the extension orientation. As a result of the interaction between walls 30, 52 and walls 32, 54, tibial component 14 and femoral component 12 are not internally or externally rotatable relative to one another, i.e., tibial component is fixed or locked against internal/external rotation.

Further, the interaction between walls 30, 52 and walls 32, 54 in the extension orientation defines the orientation of components 12, 14 with respect to internal/external rotation. As will be described in more detail below, this “locked” rotational orientation occurs after tibial component 14 has been externally rotated in the final stages of flexion. This externally rotated orientation of tibial component 14 is similar to an anatomical knee which has externally rotated under the influence of the screw home mechanism as the knee is extended.

Referring from FIGS. 1A and 1B to FIGS. 2A and 2B, flexion of knee joint prosthesis 10 moves femoral component 12 relative to tibial component 14 to a flexed orientation. In this flexed orientation, lateral and medial condylar inner walls 30, 32 have moved posteriorly and proximally so that walls 30, 32 are no longer engaged with lateral and medial base walls 50, 54 of spine 46, respectively. Instead, condylar inner walls 30, 32 are proximate lateral and medial peak surfaces 56, 58, of peak 50 of spine 46. Because the transverse dimension of peak 50 is less than width W_(B) of base 48, as discussed above, external or internal rotation of tibia 14 with respect to femoral component 12 becomes possible. Further, the gradual reduction of width of peak 50 from the interface between peak 50 and base 48 to summit 60 of peak 50 results in a gradual increase in the ability of tibial component 14 to internally or externally rotate with respect to femoral component 12. Thus, only a small amount of internal/external rotation will be possible just after intercondylar fossa 28 of femoral component 12 has disengaged base 48 of tibial component 14 (as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B). As knee joint prosthesis 10 flexes further, however, intercondylar fossa 28 will engage the narrower proximal parts of peak 50, and more internal/external rotation will be permitted.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1A-2B, intercondylar fossa 28 disengages from base 48 at between about 10 degrees to about 15 degrees of leg extension. However, it is within the scope of the present disclosure that this disengagement may occur at as little as 5 degrees, 10 degrees or 15 degrees and as much as 20 degrees, 25 degrees or 30 degrees of extension, or within any range defined by any of the foregoing values. Complete disengagement of intercondylar fossa 28 from spine 46 may or may not occur at a larger degree of flexion.

Referring from FIGS. 2A and 2B to FIGS. 1A and 1B, knee joint prosthesis may also be moved from a flexion orientation to an extension orientation. When so moved, intercondylar fossa 28 of femoral component 12 and spine 46 of tibial component 14 cooperate to urge external rotation of the tibia in certain stages of flexion. In later stages of flexion and in extension, the rotational orientation of the tibia becomes fixed in the externally rotated position, thereby replicating the screw home mechanism of an anatomic knee.

As tibial component 14 is articulated with femoral component 12 from a highly flexed orientation toward extension, lateral and/or medial peak surfaces 56, 58 of peak 50 cooperate with lateral and/or medial condylar inner walls 30, 32 to urge external rotation of tibial component 14 with respect to femoral component 12. This urging becomes more pronounced as the transverse width of peak 50 increases toward base 48 (as discussed above), Thus, as intercondylar fossa 28 articulates with peak 50 of spine 46 during extension, the tibia is smoothly externally rotated toward the external rotation orientation, and this externally rotated orientation is locked throughout the final 10-20 degrees of flexion and in extension. This urged external rotation mimics the screw home mechanism of an anatomic knee, and may occur over a range of flexion, such as from about 45 degrees of flexion to between 20 and 10 degrees of flexion.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, as knee joint prosthesis 10 approaches the low-flexion orientation, lateral and medial condylar inner walls 30, 32 begin to reengage lateral and medial base walls 52, 54, respectively. This engagement prevents interior/exterior rotation of tibial component 14 with respect to femoral component 12, thereby affecting the lock against further rotation. With intercondylar fossa 28 and base 48 cooperating to lock tibial component 14 in an externally rotated orientation, the tibia is placed in a high stability position that is consistent with the screw home mechanism of an anatomic knee.

It is within the scope of the present disclosure that the urged external rotation of tibial component 14 with respect to femoral component 12 may occur throughout any range of flexion, or may occur abruptly. For example, the peak portion of a tibial spine may feature an abrupt transition from the base to the peak, as opposed to the gradual transition from base 48 to peak 50. This abrupt transition may take the form of a “step” or abrupt change in width, and results in the urged external rotation of tibial component 14 occurring over a narrower range of flexion. Alternatively, the peak portion of the spine may be made taller so that it extends further proximally. This taller peak may include a gradually reducing transverse width, similar to peak 50 of spine 46. The taller peak will allow the urged external rotation of tibial component 14 to occur over a larger range of extension.

Referring generally to FIGS. 4A-5B, knee joint prosthesis 110 includes femoral component 112 and tibial component 114. Except where otherwise noted, reference numbers of knee joint prosthesis 110 correspond with reference numbers of knee joint prosthesis 10, with reference numbers of knee joint prosthesis 110 having 100 added thereto. Moreover, knee joint prosthesis 110 replicates the screw home mechanism of an anatomic knee, similar to knee joint prosthesis 10, However, intercondylar fossa 128 of femoral component 112 has varying widths corresponding to various degrees of flexion, while intercondylar eminence or spine 146 has a substantially constant width, as described below.

As best seen in FIGS. 6A and 6B, femoral component 112 includes anterior end 116 and posterior end 118 with articulating surface 120 extending therebetween. Fixation surface 122 disposed opposite articulating surface 120 is adapted for fixation of femoral component 112 to a distal resected femur. Referring to FIG. 6B, femoral component 112 includes lateral condyle 124 and medial condyle 126, with lateral condyle 124 defining lateral condylar inner wall 130 and medial condyle 126 defining medial condylar inner wall 132.

As best seen in FIGS. 4B, 5B and 6B, femoral component 112 includes intercondylar fossa 128, which is formed by the space between lateral and medial condylar inner walls 130, 132. Lateral condylar inner wall 130 includes anterior lateral wall segment 130A and posterior lateral wall segment 130C, with transition wall segment 1308 extending therebetween. Medial condylar inner wall 132 includes anterior medial wall segment 132A, posterior medial wall segment 132C and transitional medial wall segment 132B extending therebetween. Intercondylar fossa 128 includes anterior space 128A disposed between anterior lateral and medial wall segments 130A, 132A and defining width W_(A) (FIGS. 5B and 6B), posterior space 128C disposed between posterior lateral and medial wall segments 130C, 132C and defining width W_(P) (FIGS. 5B and 6B). Transitional space 128B of intercondylar fossa 128 is disposed between transitional lateral and medial wall segments 130B, 132B and between anterior space 128A and posterior space 128C. As described in detail below, anterior transitional and posterior spaces 128A., 128B, 128C cooperate with tibial component 114 to permit or prevent interior/exterior rotation of tibial component 114 with respect to femoral component 112, depending on the flexion orientation of knee joint prosthesis 110.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A-5B, tibial component 114 defines tibial component body 139 having anterior end 134 and posterior end 136, with articulating surface 138 extending therebetween. A fixation surface 140 (FIGS. 4A and 5A) is disposed opposite articulating surface 138, and is adapted to attach to a resected proximal tibia by any known methods and apparatuses. Articulating surface 138 includes lateral compartment 142 and medial compartment 144, with intercondylar eminence or spine 146 disposed therebetween and extending upwardly or proximally from articulating surface 138. Spine 146 includes lateral spine wall 152 and medial spine wall 154, with spine walls 152, 154 disposed mutually opposite one another in a generally parallel configuration. Spine walls 152, 154 are shown as having a generally planar configuration, but may also be rounded.

Referring now to FIGS. 4A and 4B, knee joint prosthesis 110 is shown in an extension orientation in which anterior lateral wall segment 130A abuts or is closely adjacent lateral spine wall 152, and anterior medial wall segment 132A abuts or is closely adjacent medial spine wall 154. Therefore, anterior space 128 a of intercondylar fossa 128 captures spine 146, thereby preventing internal/external rotation of tibial component 114 with respect to femoral component 112.

Referring now to FIGS. 5A and 5B, when knee joint prosthesis 110 moves from extension to low flexion, such as about 10 to 20 degrees of flexion, spine 146 moves out of anterior space 128A of intercondylar fossa 128 and into transitional space 128B. Therefore, lateral spine wall 152 is proximate transitional lateral wall segment 130B, and medial spine wail 154 is proximate transitional medial wall segment 132B. Some internal/external rotation of tibial component 114 with respect to femoral component 112 will now be permitted.

As knee joint prosthesis 110 is flexed further, such as to up to about 45 degrees, spine 146 exits transitional space 128B and enters posterior space 128C of intercondylar fossa 128. In this orientation, lateral spine wall 152 is proximate posterior lateral wall segment 130C and medial spine wall 154 is proximate posterior wall segment 132C, and constraint on internal/external rotation of tibial component 114 with respect to femoral component 112 is further relaxed.

When knee joint prosthesis 110 is articulated from a flexed orientation back to an extension orientation, spine 146 moves from posterior space 128C into transitional space 128B and eventually into anterior space 128A of intercondylar fossa 128. Similar to the gradually changing width of peak 50 of spine 46 (discussed above), the gradual reduction from width W_(P) of posterior space 128C to the smaller width W_(A) of anterior space 128A and transitional space 128B helps guide spine 146 into the locked position corresponding with an extension or low flexion orientation of knee joint prosthesis 110. Further, this gradual transition occurring in transitional space 128B urges tibial component 114 to externally rotate, so that tibial component is in an externally rotated extended position when locked against further rotation. As discussed above, this locked, externally rotated position promotes stability of knee joint prosthesis 110. Moreover, knee joint prosthesis 110 mimics or reproduces the screw home mechanism of an anatomic knee joint.

Widths W_(A), may cooperate with the width of spine 146 to provide varying levels of clearance between spine 146 and intercondylar fossa 128, as described above with respect to knee joint prosthesis 10. Moreover, in certain embodiments, the width of spine 146 may generally correspond with width W_(B) of base 48 of spine 46, while the difference between widths W_(A) and W_(P) of intercondylar fossa 128 may generally correspond with the difference between difference between width W_(B) of base 48 and the width of summit 60 resulting from the tapering of spine 46.

Advantageously, knee joint prostheses 10, 110 promote stability of a knee joint by preventing the potentially destabilizing influence of internal or external rotation during the last stages of knee extension, i.e., the last 10 to 15 degrees of extension. Prior to the terminal extension phase, external rotation of the tibia is urged by knee joint prosthesis 10, 110 to orient the tibia in a highly stabile position, and to lock the tibia against internal/external rotation in that position. This urged external rotation and subsequent locking action is similar to the screw home mechanism of an anatomic knee, and therefore facilitates behavior of knee joint prostheses 10, 110 that more closely approximates a healthy anatomic knee joint.

The illustrated embodiments herein illustrate knee prostheses 10, 110 adapted for use in a right knee. However, the principles of the present disclosure are also applicable to applications in a left knee.

While this invention has been described as having exemplary designs, the present disclosure can be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which falls within the limits of the appended claims. 

1.-6. (canceled)
 7. A knee joint prosthesis moveable between an extension orientation and a flexion orientation, the prosthesis comprising: a femoral component comprising: a lateral condyle having a lateral condylar inner wall defining an anterior lateral wall segment and a posterior lateral wall segment; a medial condyle having a medial condylar inner wall defining an anterior medial wall segment and a posterior medial wall segment; and an intercondylar fossa bounded on two sides by said lateral condylar inner wall and said medial condylar inner wall, said intercondylar fossa including an anterior space between said anterior lateral wall segment and said anterior medial wall segment, said intercondylar fossa including a posterior space between said posterior lateral wall segment and said posterior medial wall segment; and a tibial component comprising: a tibial articulating surface; a spine extending proximally from said tibial articulating surface, said spine having a lateral spine wall and an opposed medial spine wall; said anterior space of said intercondylar fossa cooperating with said lateral spine wall and said medial spine wall to prevent internal rotation and external rotation of said tibial component when the knee joint prosthesis is in the extension orientation; and said posterior space of said intercondylar fossa cooperating with at least one of said lateral spine wall and said medial spine wall to permit internal rotation and external rotation of said tibial component when the knee joint prosthesis is in the flexion orientation.
 8. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 7, wherein said spine defines a spine width between said lateral spine wall and said medial spine wall, said anterior space of said intercondylar fossa defines an anterior width corresponding to said spine width, and said posterior space of said intercondylar fossa defines a posterior width larger than said anterior width.
 9. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 7, wherein: said lateral condylar inner wall of said lateral condyle further defines a transitional lateral wall segment disposed between said anterior lateral wall segment and said posterior lateral wall segment; said medial condylar inner wall of said medial condyle further defines a transitional medial wall segment disposed between said anterior medial wall segment and said posterior medial wall segment; and said intercondylar fossa further including a transitional space between said transitional lateral wall segment and said transitional medial wall segment.
 10. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 9, wherein said spine defines a spine width between said lateral spine wall and said medial spine wall, said anterior space of said intercondylar fossa defines an anterior width corresponding to said spine width, said posterior space of said intercondylar fossa defines a posterior width larger than said anterior width, and said transitional space of said intercondylar fossa defines a gradual reduction from said posterior width to said anterior width.
 11. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 7, wherein the flexion orientation of the knee prosthesis begins at an orientation of at least 20 degrees flexion.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 7, wherein the flexion orientation of the knee prosthesis begins at an orientation of 10 degrees flexion.
 14. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 7, wherein said spine of said tibial component first disengages said intercondylar fossa of said femoral component from an engaged position at an orientation of the knee prosthesis corresponding to less than about 45 degrees flexion.
 15. A knee joint prosthesis moveable between an extension orientation and a flexion orientation, the prosthesis comprising: a tibial component comprising tibial means for guiding internal and external rotation of said tibial component; and a femoral component comprising a femoral means for guiding internal and external rotation of said tibial component; said femoral means for guiding cooperating with said tibial means for guiding to prevent internal rotation and external rotation of said tibial component when the knee joint prosthesis is in the extension orientation; and said femoral means for guiding cooperating with said tibial means for guiding to permit at least one of internal rotation and external rotation of said tibial component when the knee joint prosthesis is in the flexion orientation.
 16. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 15, wherein: the extension orientation of the knee prosthesis corresponds to an orientation in the range of 0 degrees to 20 degrees flexion; and the flexion orientation of the knee prosthesis corresponds to an orientation of at least greater than 20 degrees flexion.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 15, wherein: the extension orientation of the knee prosthesis corresponds to an orientation in the range of 0 degrees to 10 degrees flexion; and the flexion orientation of the knee prosthesis corresponds to an orientation of greater than 10 degrees flexion.
 19. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 15, wherein said femoral means for guiding cooperating with said tibial means for guiding to permit at least one of unconstrained internal rotation and unconstrained external rotation of said tibial component when the knee joint prosthesis is in the flexion orientation.
 20. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 15, wherein one of said femoral means for guiding and said tibial means for guiding comprises a means for gradually transitioning from the flexion orientation of the knee joint prosthesis to the extension orientation of the knee joint prosthesis.
 21. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 15, wherein: said femoral means for guiding comprises a spine; and said tibial means for guiding comprises an intercondylar fossa having an anterior width less than a posterior width.
 22. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 21, wherein said anterior width remains constant for a first range of flexion and said posterior width remains constant for a second range of flexion.
 23. A knee joint prosthesis moveable between an extension orientation and a flexion orientation, the prosthesis comprising: a femoral component comprising: a lateral condyle having a lateral condylar inner wall; a medial condyle having a medial condylar inner wall; an anterior portion connecting said lateral condyle and said medial condyle; and an intercondylar fossa bounded on two sides by said lateral condylar inner wall and said medial condylar inner wall, said intercondylar fossa having varying widths between said lateral condylar inner wall and said medial condylar inner wall; and a tibial component comprising: a tibial articulating surface; and a spine extending proximally from said tibial articulating surface, said spine including a lateral spine wall and an opposed medial spine wall.
 24. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 23, wherein said lateral condylar inner wall configured to engage with said lateral spine wall and said medial condylar inner wall configured to engage with said medial spine wall, to prevent internal rotation and external rotation of said tibial component when the knee joint prosthesis is in the extension orientation; and said lateral condylar inner wall configured to disengage with said lateral spine wall and said medial condylar inner wall configured to disengage with said medial spine wall, to permit at least one of internal rotation and external rotation of said tibial component when the knee joint prosthesis is in the flexion orientation.
 25. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 23, wherein said varying widths of said intercondylar fossa includes: a first width that is nearly equal to a width of the spine; and a second width greater than the first width.
 26. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 25, wherein the first width extends along an anterior portion of the intercondylar fossa and the second width extends along a posterior portion of the intercondylar fossa.
 27. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 26, wherein: said anterior portion includes a first set of parallel segments of said lateral condylar inner wall and said medial condylar inner wall; and said posterior portion includes a second set of parallel segments of said lateral condylar inner wall and said medial condylar inner wall.
 28. The knee joint prosthesis of claim 27, wherein said intercondylar fossa includes a transition portion formed by non-parallel segments of said lateral condylar inner wall and said medial condylar inner wall. 